Sport

RUGBY: Tom keen to take his chance

TOM Heathcote has had to be a very patient man this season but with George Ford set for his England bow this weekend, finally the chance has arrived for the Bath Rugby fly-half.

While Ford has been turning heads all seasons at the Rec with his displays in the No.10 shirt, Heathcote has had to play second fiddle, contenting himself with appearances in the Aviva A League and the LV= Cup.

But the 22-year-old, who has three caps for Scotland to his name already, will get his chance this weekend when Bath host London Wasps.

And with only one Aviva Premiership start to his name so far this season, Heathcote is itching to put his point across.

“It’s been a very frustrating season trying to stake a claim, of course from a team point of view it’s been very positive,” he said.

“You cannot begrudge George his starting spot really; he’s been playing so well.

“I have just had to stay patient and when a chance like this comes along then I have to take it.

“And if George is involved for the rest of the Six Nations then there might be a slot for me to get a run of games under my belt.

“I have to try and keep the coaches thinking, to show what I can do whenever I get the chance, keep training hard and be ready when my chance comes.”

It has been a spectacular campaign so far for the Rec outfit, third in the league table, a home semi-final in the LV= Cup and a home quarter-final in the Amlin Challenge Cup all await them.

They have already secured the Aviva A League title, in which Heathcote featured prominently, and the Scotland fly-half hopes there is more silverware to come.